Automatic mutuel ticket protectos



Oct. 9, 1934. F. o. GUTH AUTOMATIC MUTUEL TICKET PROTECTOR Filed June 27, 1952 lL1 sheets-sheet 1 Oct. 9, 1934. r:l Q GUTH 1,976,612 l AUTOMATIC MUTUEL TICKET PROTECTOR SPORT SMAN'S PARK Filed June 27. 1932 4 Sheets-Shea?I 9/@5 Cf EBLACK W5' 77 llij L oct. 9, 1934. F- Q GUTH AUTOMATIC MUTUEL TICKET PROTECTOR OCI. 9, 1934. Q GUTH I AUTOMATIC MUTUEL TICKET PROTECTOR 4 sheets-smet 4 Filed June 27. 1932 @NIMH Patented Oct. 9, 1934 V1,976,612 AUTOMATIC MUTUEL TICKET PRoTECToa Fred Otto Guth, Chicago, lll., assignor to Automatic Mutual' Ticket Protector Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application June 27, 1932, Serial No. 615,471

l 16 Claims.` (01.211-57) v This invention relates to an automatic mutuel ticket protector, intended primarily for employment in connection with legal wagering in accordance with the pari-mutuel system.

While the device is intended for use in wagering, it is not intended to be limited thereto, since it possesses features of general application and is particularly applicable to any purpose in which the sale of tickets or tokens is to be terminated at a precise moment determined by a person or instrument located at a point remote from the place or places where the sales of tickets occur.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved mutuel ticket protector.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this class which is adapted to be operated from a distance to terminate the issue of further tickets.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this type adapted to receive in convenient manner a complete supply of tickets.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a machine of the class mentioned which readily can be united with a plurality of similar machines for operation in unison.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation showing a plurality of machines located in ticket booths, the booths being shown in sectionfrom the ticket sellers side;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged View of a machine shown partly in section;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View of the machine;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation showing the manner in which the `tickets are released after being locked;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view similar to Fig. 3, with the tickets locked; i i

Fig. 6 is a sectionaldetail showing the manner in which the ticket locking mechanism is secured in locking position until released bythe releasing lever; i p i Y Fig. 7 is a perspective View, partly broken away, of a removable ticket bok, whereby a supplyof tickets may readily be installed within a machine;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of one of the ticketsl which may be employed;

Fig. 9 is a similar View of a modified form of ticket; 1

. Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic View showing the manner in which the machines may be controlled for.

'from' a distance 'to lock the tickets in place; and Y Fig. 11 is a similar View of a modified 'form of Wiring. In one of the principal uses to which the machine of the present invention may be placed, 6g that is, inthe system of legalized wagering known as" the 'pari-mutuel system, ticketsellers sell to the public tickets, each of which represents a wager on a certain eventuality in a coming race. The probable odds are determined on thev basis of the tickets sold, which odds lare announced at regular intervals. At or slightly before the starting of the race, usually on the ringing 'of the post bell, the'sale of tickets ceases, and the odds payable on the winning tickets are readily calculated on the basis of income and the numberof tickets which are to be paid. v l

It frequently happens that the duration of a race, f or example, a furlong race, is Very short,

so that before the auditors can checkup on the condition of ticket sales, the eventuality may be v,largely decided. That is,in a short race, the winner may be apparent in a'matter of seconds. 'l One of the abuses towhich the pari-mutuel systemr has been subjeetedis that insome cases a dishonest ticket sellerpis able to `abstract winning tickets which pay a substantialprot at the ex'- `pense of the other persons ,who havelegitimately paid for theirtickets on the basis of a'fair chance. It will readily appear from the following descrip- L tion of a preferred embodiment of my machine,

.that its use effectively prevents this abuse, since any numbervof machines can be locked from a remote point at the moment Vof starting the race or any predetermined time before such starting.

`In the"A drawings, particularly Fig. 1,;I show a plurality of 'machines V12, each located` in a booth V13'in ywhich the ticket seller is accommodated. Eachbooth isprovided 'with agrilled window 14 through which the'tick'ets may'y besold and paid gr AEach machine 12 vcomprises a casing 15', the upper fiat top plate of lwhich rmay suitably be located at the botto-m edge of the window. "On the inner side ofl thefmachine I may Vprovide a counter 16. i 5 y The machine is secured tothe walls of the booth in any `suitable manner, for example,l by means of brackets 17."In a position preferably 'in alignment with'the counter`16,the 'casing 15 comprises 'a horizontal'plate 18 formingpartei N5 the outerwall of said casing.' A sloping wall 19, also forming part of the outer Wall ofthe casing, extends upwardly and rearwardly slightly from the wall 18 and terminates at the flat top plate referred to above. 110

The sloping wall 19xis provided with an elongated opening 20 which occupies most of the surface of the plate 19, this opening being relatively long in the horizontal direction and being relatively low in the vertical direction. This opening is adapted to receive the ticket box 21 which is shown in perspective view in Fig. 7.

A housing 22 is provided Within rthe casing 15 adjacent the opening 20, which snugly receives the box 21" in the manner shown in Fig. 3. Suitable means are provided for holding the box 2l and end walls 27. It is preferably open at both top and front. The box 21 comprises a plurality of partitions 28 which may be located parallel to the end walls 27 to which they are equal in dimensions. The partitions 28 divide the box Ainto any desirednumber of cells 29each cell being adapted to receive a stack of tickets, each stack corresponding to av different wager. For example, the tickets in the first cell may represent a wager on a certain horse to Win In the next cell the wager may be upon another horse to win. Other machines may be used for' dif- `ferent priced tickets, and for different eventualities in the same event. The nature of the wager which each stack of tickets represents has no Yrelation to the inventionsince they may be varied in any way desired bythe public. 1 In the base 24 of the box 21, in each cell thereof, lis provided an opening 30 through which pass .the means adapted tc lock unsold tickets in place at a predetermined moment. The housing 22 lis provided at the top and bottom with openings 3l which are in alignment-with the openings 30 lWhen the box 2 1` is installed-in the machine.

TheV housing .22 is reinforced at the topand bottom by means of-longitudinal bars -32 and v33 Vwhich are also provided with openings 34 and 35 in alignment with the openings 30 and `31.

The bar 33 is rigidlyconnectedto the baseo'f the casing l5 by means of bars 36 suitably. secured at either endof the casing 15, these bars being inthe same-longitudinal plane as the axes of the openings 30, 31, 34 and 35, so that they may serve as guides for the locking frame in addition to supporting the housing `22.

T he locking frame consists essentially of a bar 37 carrying at each end sleeves 38 which ride upon. the -bars y36. The bar 37 carries-a series .of lrods 3 9, one for eachcell, said rods39 extending upwardly and being aligned with vthe aligned openings 35, 31, 30, and 34. The upper ends of the rods39 are sharply pointed, and these pointed ends are -located Within' the openings 35 in the -barr33 Whenthe lockingframe'is in its unlocked position as shown in full lines in Fig. 3.

l W- henthe frame= is in lcking position, as shown `in dot and dash lines in Fig. 3, the upper'ends of therods 39 are projectedthrough the openings 34 v in the kbar Y32 and, extending through.- openingsfinthe: tickets as willhereinafterfbe described, `the tickets are thus locked into the ma.-

At each end the bar 37 is connected to a flexible support 40 .whichI extendsupwardly and rear- Wardlyslightly at the same inclination as the bars 36. The Wires 40 pass over pulleys 41-and 42 which may suitably be mounted on rods 43 and 44 which extend through the `casing 15 adjacent its upper edge. The wires 40 are connected to each end of a heavy bar 45 which is adapted for vertical movement near the rear wall of the Inachine, a suitable guide 46 being provided on each end wall ofthe casing 15;inmorderftolimit the movement of the bar 45.

It will be readily understood that the weight of the bar 45 tends to raise the locking frame into the locking position. `The bar 37 carries, adjacent its center, brackets 47 upon which is pivotally 'n mounted a dog 48.v The dog 48, as shown more clearlyin Fig. ,6, carries a forwardly projectingA portion 49 Whichlnormally projects forwardly under the influence of gravity. The dog 48 also comprises an abutment leg 50 which prevents 'excessive forward movement of vthe Aforwardly projecting portion 49.

The dog 48 is adapted to cooperate with a latch element-51 which is pivotally mounted in a housing 52; located within ,the casing. The latch 5l comprises anV elongated end 53 andfis normally held inlatching'position by means of av spring 54. In order to enable the latch 51 to resist the loadY applied '-toj it by the dog 48, an abutment member 55 is provided whichispivotally mountas to release the latch 51. :Aspiring .57 tends'to movek the abutment 55 into the position shown in Fig. 3, the action of the vsprings 54 and 57 being to lock the latch-5l automatically whenthe electromagnet 56 is deenergized f It` willgreadily be understood thatv when the magnet 56 is energized,` the locking frame is released and the Weight 45 causes-itto move up- "wardly so lasto lock the ticketsinV their cells.

Whenthe-magnet 56 'is deenergizedthe latch 5l returns to its normal position, and-when the locking frame is moved downwardly, in the man- `nerhereinafter described, the dog 43 moves on its pivot past the Ylatch `51 Yand thereafter moves forwardly to engageV said latch and -hold the j locking frame in unlocked position.

On the rear side or" the bar 37 I mount brackets .B8-upon which is pivotally rmounted a' gravity dog 59. This dog comprisesa latch portion 6i) and a weight 61. The latch portion 60 is adapt- "ed to .engage a latch element 62 provided on the rear side of the housing 22. The latchportion 60 andthe latch element .62 are provided with sloping surfacesadapted to coa'ct to permit the latch portion 60 of the dog 59 to pass the latch element y62. AfterA this passing; the Weight. 6l moves the dog' 59 into the locking position shown in' dashand dot lines .inf.Fig. 3. Thef dog 59 carries a rearwardly extending crank 63 which is operated toY unlock the engagement between the latch elements 66 and 62` which vwill hereinafter be described. l

Adjacent each end'of the`v barv 37 I mount rearwardly. extending plates `64 lb y V means of wliicl i the locking frame is returned to unlocked positi on., Through each machine extends a shaft .65 which rigidly carries' arms 66`which are adapted on a, substantially vertical axis and is adaptf ed to be attracted by an electrcmagnet 56 so .iso

ed toY engagethe plates 6 4.` On'tlie shaft 65 is v Y gage the crank 63. In order to eiectthis return, the shaft is rotated in vthe clockwise .di-

' also mounteda rod 67 whichis adapted-'to len- .les

rection, as viewed in Fig. 3. The initialr effect of this movement isjto bringthe rod 67 into enggcment .with the crankv 63 and release thelockf' Y ing engagement between the latch elements and 62. v

As the movement continues the arms..66. engage the plates 64 and force the frame downwardly until locking engagement is established between the dog 48 and latch element 51. The shaft 65 should now be returned to its initial position so that the weight of the arm 66 should not be added to the movement of the locking frame which must be overcome by the weight ,45. This may suitably be effected by 4means of a spring 68 which may act upon the actuating handle 69 which is rigidly mounted on the shaft 65.

As shown in Fig. 1, any number of machines may be located in a row and their shafts 65 may be secured together in any suitable manner so as to enable them to act asa unit.

Theactuating handle 69 is located at one end of the row of machines and may be located in a separate booth as shown in Fig. 1, so as to prevent actuation by any ticket seller. It is preerred to provide a suitable lock so that the handle 69 canbe actuatedY only by an authorized auditor after the tickets are checked. A suitable lock is shown in Fig. 2. This lock may comprise an abut- -ment member 70 in which is slidably mounted a bolt 7l adapted to enter an opening in the handle 69. Thebolt 7l may be actuated by a key-operated lock barrel '72 of known type. An electric conduit '73 extends through the casings 15 of the series of machines and within Yeach machine is provided a T 74. This conduit system provides for the admission of conductors Afor supplying energy to the electromagnets 56 whenv desired.

lAlong the plate 18 I provide a plurality of spring clips75, one in front of each cell 29 of the ticket box 21. The purpose of these clips is to hold tickets returned after issue of succeeding tickets. Above the position of each cell of the ticket box 2l I provide means, such hooks 75 for supporting cards 76', which may provide information, such as the names of horses or the like, which indicate to the ticket seller in a convenient manner, the nature of the wager or trancaction which tickets therebelow represent.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, each ticket comprises indicia, such as numbers and words identifying the wager which it represents. Other indicia which identify the location and the date, may be applied if desired. In addition, of each stack are numbered serially; In Figs. 8 and 9, the serial number shown is 34. The serial number is preferably applied at the lower edge of the ticket so that it may readily be seen by auditors and checkers.

As shown in Fig. 8, each ticket 76 is provided with a round opening '77 adapted to come into alignment with the rod 39 of the cell in which the tickets are located. This opening is preferably placed in the rearward part of the ticket 'so as to minimize the danger of engagement of the ticket sellers fingerl by the sharply pointed rods 39 when the locking frames are released. It has been f found, in practice, thatan-upwardly moving pin offers little danger to the ticket seller since the ticket sellers fingers are normally at the surface of the stack and remote from 'the upper end of the ticket spaces so that they slip off before they are impaled againstthe housing 22. It is also found that misplaced tickets at the top of the stacks are carried up and impaled.

As shown in Fig. 9, the opening 78 of the ticket may be elongated so that if a few tickets at the top of the stack aremoved outwardlybyaccident,

the tickets the rod 39 willpas's through the elongated opening. .In this case the rods 39- and associated parts are moved forwardly from the position shown in the drawings, so that they align with the forward portion of the opening "'18, as shown in Fig. 9.

Means are provided whereby the/machines` are i locked simultaneously from a remote point. This may suitably be done byl an electric circuit which energizes all of the magnets 56 simultaneously.

.These magnets 56 maybe connected. in parallel circuit with the post-bell 79 so that the machines may be locked by the same .switch 80l whichis actuated to" ring the post-bell.Y A simple circuit for this purpose vis shown. in Fig. 10, which is adapted to be operated by a battery 81. v

` In Fig. 1l is showny a circuit whereby the usual alternating current from the mains maybe employed. This circuitcomprises a transformer 82, the secondary of which is connected to the bell 479 and magnets 56. This secondary circuit includes the switch 80 and also a switch 83= which is held in closed position by Ameans of an electromagnet 84 which is connected across the secondaryof the transformer 82. A battery 85 is'provided which comes into operation automatically in the event that the power line supply fails. When the magnet 84 is deenergized', a spring 86 pulls the armature 83 toward the contact 8'7`so as to break the secondary circuit and change over to the battery circuit.

The operation is as follows:

A race having been run, theticket boxes are locked by means of the` rods 39. The exposed serial numbers or kstop numbers ofv the tickets have been noted by'auditors so that the numbers if..

of the tickets to be paid are definitely recorded. This information having been received, an auditor or other official unlocks the handle 69 and actuates same to move the locking frames into unlocked position inv whichthey are held in the l'.

manner described above. The handle 69 is then returned and locked in position. The ticket boxes are then removed and checked and the odds are determined in due course'.v

The cards 76 are changed to correspond to the coming event and each machine is supplied with a box of tickets, the serial numbers of the top tickets preferably being l.. proceed to sell tickets The ticket seller may nowy i and the exposed serial numbers at the lower edges of the tickets will p enable the odds to be rapidly calculated at'any time, this operation being done at periodic intervals so as to inform the public. of the probable odds. In the event that any ticket is returned after 'later tickets are issued, the same may be fzff held by the appropriate clip '75 so that the'auditor or other checker may immediately see the correction which hasrto be made in the normal reading,

as indicated by the serial number 4of the topmost ticket.

As the start of the race approachesythe post n bell 79 is sounded,.this servingV as' a' signal `that betting is terminated. Whenthe switch 89 is closed to ring the bell 79, the magnets 56 are energized and the lockingframesare released so j that the rods 39 project upwardly through the openings in'the tickets and' into the bar 32. After this moment'no ticket can be removed from the ticket box without the same being mutilated; The alongated opening '18 inftheticket 76, as shown in '1 j..

Fig. 9, has a tendency'to mutilate the ticketif removal is attempted by tearing the ticket. in half so that the difficulty of fraud on the part of the ticket seller is enhanced.

After the rrace is run, as

described above,l the i5 CII . PatentV` of the United States is:-

operated from a serial numbers `of the tickets mayV be jrapidly taken, the odds determined, and-thereafterthe ticketsareremoved and checked. y

Although the invention has'been described .in connection with the specific detailsl of apreferred embodiment thereof, it must be understood that such details are `not intended to be limitative of `the invention except in so'far as set forthin the accompanying claims; 1 f- I ffHavingY thusidescribed :my invention, what :I claim as new andVV desire to-secure by- Letters V1 1. In a device ofv the type describedfin combination, a kticket box provided With a plurality of ticket cells, said box being provided With-openings extending into each cell, means adapted' to be projected throughsaid openings tov lock the tickets inl said' cells,r and means adaptedto :be distance to release said locking 1f 2'. vIn a device of thev typedescribed, in "combination, a"housing,a ticket box removably received by said housing, locking means adapted to project 'through vthe ticket box andvhousingpito prevent-removal of said box and said tickets, a latch adapted'to hold said locking means in unlocking position, andrelectrical means-for releasing said locking mean's.- f f .v

' 3.In'a device'of the'type described, incombination, a cabinet, means for supporting a ticket n box thereon, said box being 4adapted to receive 'a series of stacks ofk tickets, locking means adapted Ato lock-said box and contentsl to the cabinet,

means' in said cabinet tending to move saidlocking means to locking-position, a latch adapted to prevent ysaid movement, means 'Without the cabinetffor resetting A,the lockingV means, and

means without the cabinet' for releasing said latch.r Y.Il c Y 4., Inadevice of the-type described,-.in combination, afcabinet, ,means for supporting a ticket box thereon,` said boxbeing -adaptedtoI receive .a series of stacks of tickets, lockingmeans adapted to lock said box andl contents' to thecabinet, means in ysaid cabinetv tending to move said lock- :ing means to locking'position, a latch adapted to prevent -saidmovement,`. a llever without -the .cabi- .net for resetting the locking means, a lock lfor `holding said lever against-unauthorized actua.-

tion, and means Without the cabinet for releasing said-latch. Y

5. In a deviceY of'thetype described, in'combi-` nation, a cabinet, vmeans for supporting a plurality of stacks of tickets thereon, locking means adapted to lock said tickets to the cabinet, means insaid cabinet tending f tomove said locking means tor locking positioina latch adapted to prevent said movement, means Withoutathe cabinet for resetting-thelockingmeans,v and means Without the cabinet for releasing said latch,

6. In a device of the typedescribed, in combi- Anation,'a.cabinet, means for .supporting a plurality of stacks of tickets thereon, locking means adapted to lock said tickets tothe cabinet, means in Lisaid cabinet'ftending tov 'move said locking means tov locking position, a latch adapted to prevent said movement, a lever Without vthe -cabinet rior' resetting theflockin'g vmeans, ,a lock for 'holding' said leverY against unauthorizedactuation, and-'means Without the cabinet -for releasingsaid latch. 1 Y '7. Inafdevice of the type described, in combi- V'na'tionj'a l.ticket box provided with a plurality of ticket cells, each cell being'adapted toreceive stacl of 'ticketsprovided with aligned openings,

said box being providedwithopenings extending into each cell in alignment with said openings, rodsadapted to be projected throughv said openings. to .lockthe tickets `in said cells a support carrying said rods for movement in unison, `and means adapted to be'operated from a distance yto releasesaid support and rods. l j 8.5In'a device of the .type described,fin combination, a housing,- a ticket box removably vreceived by saidhousing, V`locking means comprising a: series of rodsadapted toproject through the ticket .box and the housing to prevent removal of said box and said tickets,'a latch adapted to hold said locking means 'in `unlockingposition, andI electrical locking means. v

9. In a device of the type described, fingcombination, a cabinet, 'means for supporting., aaticket box thereon, said box being adapted to receive a series of stacks of tickets, locking means comprising a plurality of rods adapted to lock said box and contentsto the cabinet, each of said rods adapted to be projected throughl a'stack oftick- ,-ets, means in vsaid cabinet tending tomove-said lockingvmeansto locking position,;a latch adapted to'prevent said movement, means without the cabinet for .resettingY the locking ,means and means` Without the cabinet for releasing said latch. 10. vIn a device of the type described, in combination, a cabinet, means for supporting a7 ticket box thereon, said -box--beingadapted to receive a series'of stacks of tickets, locking means comprising ya' plurality of rodsadapted to lock said box and contents to the cabinet, each of said rods adapted tobe projected Athrougha stack of tickets, a weight in said cabinet tending-to move-,said locking means Ytolocking position, a latch adaptvedato Yprevent said movement,rmeans; YWithout means for'. releasing Isaid Hthe cabinet for resetting the locking means, and

means Without ,the cabinet for releasing-said latch. f j 11-.f.In-a device` offthe type described, in combination, a4 cabinet, means-for supporting. a

' cabinet tending-tov move saidlocking means to locking position, alatCh-adapted to prevent said movement, a lever without the cabinet for resetting the locking means, a,` lock vfor yholding said lever against unauthorized lactuation-and means without the cabinetforreleasing the said latein 1 M 12. In Iadevicerof the type described, in combination, aV cabinet,Vv means for supporting aV plurality of stack-sof ,tickets thereon, locking. means adapted .tolock saidf tickets to the cabinet, said locking means comprisingaplurality -of rods, veach-rod being adapted to project through-one offsaid stacks. means in Vsaidcabinet tendingto move vsaid lockingV means toA locking position-a latch adapted -to prevent-said movement, means without the-cabinetior kresetting the-flocking leasing said-latch.fv

means, `andmeanswithout thecabinetV for; re-V 913.111 a device oftlie type describedingcomvbination, a cabinet, meansifor supporting alplurality of stacks offticketsthereon, locking means adapted to lock: said .ticketsto the cabinet-said locking Ymeanscomprising a plurality.,` ofl rods, n Veachy rodbein'gi adapted tofproject through one 1'50 of said stacks, means in said cabinet tending to move said locking means to locking position, a latch adapted to prevent said movement, a lever Without the cabinet for resetting the locking means, a lock for holding said lever against unauthorized actuation, and means Without the cabinet for releasing said latch.

14. In a device of the class described, a receptacle adapted to receive a plurality of stacks of apertured tickets, a plurality of ticket locking rods, means for simultaneously projecting said rods through the apertures of the tickets of the several stacks to lock said tickets against removal from the receptacle, and means for controlling the projecting means from a remote point.

l5. In a device of the class described, a receptacle adapted to receive a plurality of stacks of apertured tickets, apertures in the receptacle with which may be aligned the apertures of the tickets of the several stacks, a plurality of ticket locking rods normally lying outside of that part of the receptacle occupied by the tickets, means' adapted when operated simultaneously to project said rods through the receptacle apertures and the ticket apertures with which the receptacle apertures are aligned to lock said ticket against removal from the receptacle, and means .for controlling the operation of the projecting means from a remote point.

FRED OTTO GUTH. 

